Canon vs. Fanon: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Harlon Moss || Updated on November 9, 2023
Canon is official content in a fictional work, while fanon is fan-created content or theories not officially recognized.
Key Differences
Canon refers to the official elements and storyline as recognized by the original creators of a fictional universe. Conversely, fanon is created by fans and consists of elements that are widely accepted among fans but not officially sanctioned.
In canon, characters and plots follow the creator's original intent and are typically found in the source material. Fanon, however, can include popular beliefs or character backstories that, while not official, are recognized within fan communities.
Canon is authoritative and is used to maintain consistency within the narrative of a fictional work. Fanon may be embraced by the community for its creativity or to fill in narrative gaps, but it holds no official status.
When discussing literary analysis, canon often pertains to the body of work considered genuine by scholars, whereas fanon is not used in such academic contexts but rather in informal fan discussions.
Canon ensures stability and a unified framework for a story's setting, characters, and events, while fanon can vary widely and be subjective, reflecting individual or communal interpretations of the material.
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Comparison Chart
Authority
Officially recognized
Unofficial, fan-created
Source
Creator or source material
Fan community
Purpose
Maintains narrative consistency
Encourages creative expansion
Recognition
Accepted by all fans as authentic
Accepted by some, not officially recognized
Stability
Fixed and unchanging
Fluid and often varies
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Canon and Fanon Definitions
Canon
A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.
The novel became part of the literary canon of the 20th century.
Fanon
Elements created by fans to explain ambiguities or to add depth to the official narrative.
The fanon version of events filled in the gaps left by the last movie.
Canon
The established set of principles or code of laws, often religious in nature.
The priest adhered strictly to the canon law.
Fanon
Unofficial expansions or interpretations of a fictional universe.
The fanon backstory for the villain was adopted by many in the community.
Canon
An authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scripture.
The books of the Bible are part of the religious canon.
Fanon
Fan-created content or theories not officially recognized by the creators.
The idea that those two characters are siblings is pure fanon.
Canon
A collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine.
The canon of Shakespeare's work includes 37 plays.
Fanon
A belief or set of beliefs widely accepted among fans but not found in the source material.
It's fanon that the character always wears red to symbolize passion.
Canon
The works of a particular author or artist that are recognized as genuine.
The curator discussed the canon of Picasso's blue period.
Fanon
Fan fiction that becomes so popular it is often mistaken for canon.
That relationship was never in the books; it's strictly fanon.
Canon
An ecclesiastical law or code of laws established by a church council.
Fanon
A vestment reserved only for the Pope for use during a pontifical Mass.
Canon
A secular law, rule, or code of law.
Fanon
Part of a bishop's mitre. They are the tabs extending down from the mitre, often with a cross near the end of each. See lappet.
Canon
An established principle
The canons of polite society.
Fanon
A maniple.
Canon
A basis for judgment; a standard or criterion.
Fanon
(surgery) A fold of linen laid under a splint.
Canon
The books of the Bible officially accepted as Holy Scripture.
Fanon
(fandom) Elements introduced by fans which are not in the official canon of a fictional world but are widely believed to be or treated as if canonical.
Canon
A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field
"the durable canon of American short fiction" (William Styron).
Fanon
A term applied to various articles,
Canon
The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic
The entire Shakespeare canon.
Canon
Material considered to be officially part of a fictional universe or considered to fit within the history established by a fictional universe
"The Harry Potter series was one of the first pieces of media to inspire widespread fan fiction writing, probably because its popularity coincided with the early days of the Internet, but its creator has also shown herself more than willing to keep updating the canon" (Emma Cueto).
Canon
Canon The part of the Mass beginning after the Preface and Sanctus and ending just before the Lord's Prayer.
Canon
The calendar of saints accepted by the Roman Catholic Church.
Canon
(Music) A composition or passage in which a melody is imitated by one or more voices at fixed intervals of pitch and time.
Canon
A member of a chapter of priests serving in a cathedral or collegiate church.
Canon
A member of certain religious communities living under a common rule and bound by vows.
Canon
Variant of canyon.
Canon
A generally accepted principle; a rule.
The trial must proceed according to the canons of law.
Canon
A formally codified set of criteria deemed mandatory for a particular artistic style of figurative art.
The Canon of Polykleitos
Canon
A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field.
Canon
The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic.
The entire Shakespearean canon
Canon
A eucharistic prayer, particularly the Roman Canon.
Canon
A religious law or body of law decreed by the church.
We must proceed according to canon law.
Canon
A catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.
Canon
In monasteries, a book containing the rules of a religious order.
Canon
A piece of music in which the same melody is played by different voices, but beginning at different times; a round.
Pachelbel’s Canon has become very popular.
Canon
(Roman law) A rent or stipend payable at some regular time, generally annual, e.g., canon frumentarius
Canon
Those sources, especially including literary works, which are considered part of the main continuity regarding a given fictional universe.
A spin-off book series revealed the aliens to be originally from Earth, but it's not canon.
Canon
(cookery) A rolled and filleted loin of meat; also called a cannon.
A canon of beef or lamb
Canon
A large size of type formerly used for printing the church canons, standardized as 48-point.
Canon
The part of a bell by which it is suspended; the ear or shank of a bell.
Canon
A clergy member serving a cathedral or collegiate church.
Canon
A canon regular, a member of any of several Roman Catholic religious orders.
Canon
A law or rule.
Or that the Everlasting had not fixedHis canon 'gainst self-slaughter.
Canon
A law, or rule of doctrine or discipline, enacted by a council and confirmed by the pope or the sovereign; a decision, regulation, code, or constitution made by ecclesiastical authority.
Various canons which were made in councils held in the second centry.
Canon
In monasteries, a book containing the rules of a religious order.
Canon
A catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.
Canon
A member of a cathedral chapter; a person who possesses a prebend in a cathedral or collegiate church.
Canon
A musical composition in which the voices begin one after another, at regular intervals, successively taking up the same subject. It either winds up with a coda (tailpiece), or, as each voice finishes, commences anew, thus forming a perpetual fugue or round. It is the strictest form of imitation. See Imitation.
Canon
The largest size of type having a specific name; - so called from having been used for printing the canons of the church.
Canon
The part of a bell by which it is suspended; - called also ear and shank.
Canon
See Carom.
Canon
A deep gorge, ravine, or gulch, between high and steep banks, worn by water courses.
Canon
A rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy;
The neoclassical canon
Canons of polite society
Canon
A priest who is a member of a cathedral chapter
Canon
A ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
Canon
A contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts
Canon
A complete list of saints that have been recognized by the Roman Catholic Church
Canon
A collection of books accepted as holy scripture especially the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired
FAQs
Can fanon ever become canon?
Rarely, creators may adopt fan ideas, but typically fanon remains unofficial.
How is fanon shared among fans?
Through fan fiction, forums, social media, and other community platforms.
What defines canon in fiction?
Canon is content officially accepted as part of the story by its creators.
Does canon only apply to literary works?
No, it applies to all media with a narrative, including movies and games.
Are retcons considered canon?
If they are made by the original creators, retcons become part of the canon.
Can there be multiple canons?
Some franchises have different canons, like comics vs. movies.
Is all fan fiction considered fanon?
Yes, as it is not part of the official narrative or content.
Is canon more important than fanon?
Canon is authoritative for the official narrative; fanon is important for fan culture.
Are headcanons and fanon the same?
Headcanon is personal to an individual, while fanon is more widely accepted.
Do all fans agree on what is considered fanon?
No, fanon can be subjective and varied.
How does canon affect fan works?
It provides the framework within which fan works are created.
Do creators acknowledge fanon?
Some creators are aware of fanon but do not officially recognize it.
Why is canon important to a fandom?
It ensures a consistent and stable foundation for the universe.
Can fanon influence the direction of a series?
Indirectly, by showing creators what interests the fanbase.
Is there a canon in open-world games?
Yes, even open-world games have a core story that is considered canon.
How does one determine what is canon?
Through official statements, publications, or direct content from the creators.
Does fanon exist in non-fiction?
No, fanon is a concept specific to fictional narratives.
Does fanon have to be widely accepted to be considered fanon?
It is often widely accepted, but not always.
Can canon change over time?
Yes, creators can add to or alter the canon with new content.
Can fanon be contradictory?
Yes, different fans may create contradictory fanon.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
